Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Peace that Surpasses Understanding

"Deep Peace"

- Sunset at the Desert Retreat House -

I just had a rather disturbing but also informative conversation
with a friend of mine who told me that he is “giving up” listening to, reading
about or watching any more news reports. He said that he has enough problems in
his own personal life without being constantly barraged by reports of
hurricanes, ethnic cleansing, terrorist attacks, and political infighting. So,
he is suspending all news consumption because he can no longer endure the
anxiety that such stories elicit in him.

As I listened to my friend the other day I wondered how many
other people might be feeling the same way, overburdened by the anxiety
of everyday life nowadays.

My conversation with my friend also reminded me of an
ancient “saying” from the 13th century English mystic, Julian of
Norwich:

And all shall be well, and all
shall be well,

And all manner of things shall be
well.

I have heard this phrase quoted many times before and I
think it is often misinterpreted to mean that, no matter how tough life is, everything
will eventually turn out ok, so “don’t worry and be happy.” Actually the wisdom of this one little phrase
speaks of something far more profound, it points to a deep peace that can “ground” all of us no matter what may come our
way in life.

In our culture the word “happiness” often refers to a surface
and fleeting feeling of wellbeing and peace is translated as the absence of
trouble. People are happy when they get a job or buy new clothes. People find peace
when there is nothing to trouble them. But there will always be trouble in life
no matter who we are, suffering is inherent in our human condition.

As I see it, the kind of peace and happiness available on a
spiritual quest is much more ofwhat the
ancient ancestors called a “deep peace”- a peace that flows underneath the
surface of everyday living.

The Christian scriptures talk about a peace that passes all understanding. I think that’s what “deep
peace” means, it’s a sense of underlying peace one experiences that goes beyond
analysis or understanding. After all, on the surface it probably doesn’t “make
sense” to feel peace in the midst of suffering, pain and chaos; and yet that
sense of a deep peace that passes understanding lies at the heart of the
spiritual journey.

In my own life I experience this deep peace whenever I am able to recognize that “I” am more than a
separated individual ego inside a tiny human body. I experience that peace that
passes understanding when I become aware of my connection to the cosmos. I experience
a deep peace when I know that, even in the darkest times, an abiding Love and
Universal Energy “sparks” within my being and in all other beings connecting us
all in an amazingly beautiful, mysterious and mystical web of dynamic
interrelationship.

And so, I experience a deep peace when I know that
all shall be well because Love flows
in and through it all - Love is stronger than hate and Love won’t let me go.

Most “wisdom” traditions of the major world religions
recommend the practice of equanimity as
a primary virtue on the spiritual journey.

Equanimity is the stability of
mind

that allows us to be present with
an open heart

to everything that comes our way,

no matter how wonderful or how
difficult.

When we are able to practice this “stability of
mind” we can abide in deep peace. When
we are present with an open heart to all those disturbing news reports, when we
are present with an open heart rejoicing at the birth of a child, when we are
present with an open heart at the loss a spouse or when we are diagnosed with
cancer, when we buy a house or lose a job and we are “present with an open
heart” to everything that comes our way we can find a deep peace, knowing that
underneath it all, all is well, all is
well, all manner of things shall be well.

I am reminded of a blessing that comes from the ancient
Celtic Druids. I offer this blessing to any who may happen to read my post
today:

About Me

I am a teacher, a writer, and a spiritual guide. I am an ordained Episcopal Priest and hold degrees in theology, philosophy, and communication. I am particularly interested in the common spiritual insights which the many various world religions share with one another.

My wife and I live in the beautiful desert in the Coachella Valley of Southern California.